Ch 5 - Public Opinion - Class 3

3. How are polls, focus groups and other sources of data used by candidates and elected officials?
4. What are the characteristics of a quality public opinion poll?

1. Review: Unit II Test
• Study essential questions, vocabulary, blog posts, and notes from class for Ch 3 - Culture, Ch 4 - Participation, and Ch 5 - Public Opinion
2. Case Study: Death with Dignity Law
• Watch Part 2. Standing Up for a Cause You Don't Support
• Which Oregon statute conflicted with which federal statute?
• How did Sen. Wyden and Sen. Smith vote? Why?
• If you were in their shoes, how would you have voted? Why?
• When should follow public opinion (delegate) or go against public opinion (trustee)?
3. Homework: Blog Post on Surveys (EQ #4)
• Look at their two surveys (from different organizations) related to their policy issue
• Analyze the surveys for the following...
• the sample (random? size?)
• the wording (neutral? clear?)
• the analysis (correct? bias?)

Ch 5 - Public Opinion - Class 2

3. How are polls, focus groups and other sources of data used by candidates and elected officials?

4. What are the characteristics of a quality public opinion poll?

1. Homework: Obama Campaign (EQ #3)
• How can use the homework reading to answer this question?
• The Death of the Hunch (Slate)
• A Vast Left-Wing Competency (Slate)
2. Analysis: Scientific Poll (EQ #4)
• How do you determine the quality of a poll?
• Case Study #1: Poll & News Analysis
• Case Study #2: Poll & News Analysis
• When have polls been wrong?
• 2008 New Hampshire Primary Coverage & Interview with John Zogby
• 2012 Presidential Election

Ch 5 - Public Opinion - Class 1

1. What are the different types of polls used in politics?

2. What role does framing play in public opinion?

1. Quiz: Ch 05 - Public Opinion
2. Summarize: Types of Polls (EQ #1)
3. Case Study: Frank Luntz & George Lakoff (EQ #2)
• Watch Part 5. Giving Us What We Want of The Persuaders (Frontline)
• Watch opening segment of How Democrats & Progressives Can Win: George Lakoff
• What have Frank Luntz and George Lakoff contributed to the study of public opinion?
• Can you find examples of the concepts they mentioned?  Tweet them to the class hashtag.
• How has the Obama campaign learned from Luntz or Lakoff?
• 2008
• 2012